X1900 Crossfire edtion or 1900XTX?

[DARQ MX]

This would be my first time I am using ATi's Crossfire for a build. So I just wanted to know...

He wants a x1900XTX now I am not sure, but is that one crossfire capable? Or do I have to get the cards that say Crossfire edtion? Cause that is what I always thought for a while. I just wanted to double check. Also is the x1900 Crossfire edtion the same as the XTX? or lower end? Cause it does not says XTX at the end? They are around the same price so I assume the x1900 Crossfire edtion is the same as the XTX...

And I was thinking of getting him the ASUS A8R32-MVP mobo but I have seen some gaming problems with that board with the currant chipset drivers.


Thanks


Also what is the best vendor do you guys recommend for ATi? I always liked SAPPHIRE...

 

[LittleNemoNES]

One HAS to be a crossfire edition card. The other can be a regular one. So

1 Crossfire Motherboard+
1 x1900 Crossfire Edition+
1 x1900 XT/XTX
=
Crossfire

The A8R32 with latest bios is perfectly stable. I use it with absolutely no problems. I use crossfire and have a perfect gaming experience.

 

[DARQ MX]

O, Ok, So he does not need to get a Crossfire mobo, crossfire card + another crossfire card to completley use it? He just needs one of those?

So What happens if I just get him the Crossfire mobo, and just a X1900XTX regular and he still will be able to use Crossfire on the 2nd pci-e slot later on?

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Originally posted by: DARQ MX
O, Ok, So he does not need to get a Crossfire mobo, crossfire card + another crossfire card to completley use it? He just needs one of those?

So What happens if I just get him the Crossfire mobo, and just a X1900XTX regular and he still will be able to use Crossfire on the 2nd pci-e slot later on?

there are 3 things to crossfire. You can get an xpress 3200 mobo + EITHER a x1900xt OR XTX or an X1900 Crossfire Edition

The x1900xt is a better buy cos its MUCH cheaper and can easily OC to XTX

Intels' new CPUs are coming out soon... so I would wait another week.

I'd recommend:
ASUS P5W DH DELUXE
HIS Hightech H190XTQ512DVN Radeon X1900XT
DDR2 mem
Conroe e6600 Processor
X-Fi music

 

[JBT]

No don't get two 1900 Cross Fire cards.
You NEED a Crossfire Motherboard, a 1900 Crossfire Edition and then a 1900XT/X to have a working Crossfire set up.

If you want to try a single card first. Thats right get a Crossfire Motherboard and a Regular X1900XT. Then later on get a X1900 Crossfire Edition card once your ready to go Dual cards.

Also I would get a regular XT not an XTX The difference in price is not worth it for 25Mhz on the core and 50 on the Memory... IMO

 

[DARQ MX]

This is what I got for the setup so far. He is pretty determined on getting an X2, I tried talking him into a opteron but he does not care to OC that much... so here is the list I made this mouring for him...


Processor(939s)
(4400+ Toledo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103546 ($460)


Mobo (939s)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131004
ASUS A8R32-MVP Deluxe Socket 939 ATI CrossFire Radeon XPRESS 3200 ATX AMD Motherboard(172.99)

Ram: (DDR)
Corsair 2x1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145575($201)

video card
x1900XTX:
SAPPHIRE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102671($470)

Radeon X1900 CrossFire edition:
sapphire
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102676($460)


Hard drive:
WD Raptor 74GB (purchased)

PSU:
Enermax 600Watt psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194001 ($129)

Soundcard:
X-FI: Xtreame ($111.99)



Etc...

Artic silver Thermal paste(5.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835100007

CPU HSF
Zalman
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118113($43.99)

DVD/CD/lightscibe drives:
LITE-ON:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106015($41.99)

 

[DARQ MX]

O ok, So it is what I thought in the first place. Just 2 things to go crossfire... a crossfire mobo and crossfire card...

 

[LOUISSSSS]

haha we've already told you... to "go crossfire" you need 3 things, not 2. the 3 things are:
1. you'll need the ati xpress 3200 motherboard (asus a8r32-mvp deluxe)
2. you'll need an ati x1900xt or x1900xtx
3 you'll need an ati x1900 crossfire card

without those 3 things you're not doing crossfire.
but you CAN run the system fine with just the asus motherboard and an x1900xt or x1900xtx. then you can add the crossfire card later on if you need.
i dont know what else to say if you don't understand this lol

 

[DARQ MX]

Yea no kidding, I know you need 3 things. I was saying you need 2 things that say crossfire edtion on them. That is what I meant...

 

[Polish3d]

He's making a big mistake not getting a conroe CPU and board

 

[DARQ MX]

lol

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Originally posted by: Frackal
He's making a big mistake not getting a conroe CPU and board

Seriously. Also, not OCing is almost always a newbie problem -- an unwarranted fear.

 

[JBT]

Originally posted by: Frackal
He's making a big mistake not getting a conroe CPU and board

That and I would go for an XT instead of an XTX. Waste of about $100 IMO.

 

[DARQ MX]

What do you mean by that? Conroe won't let any oc huh?

 

[JBT]

Ummm no Conroe is much faster and can OC alot....

 

[DARQ MX]

yea, I know about conroe being faster in the BMs but Intel does not like when ppl oc their products. So you must have to go around it somehow.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Originally posted by: DARQ MX
yea, I know about conroe being faster in the BMs but Intel does not like when ppl oc their products. So you must have to go around it somehow.

Then how do you explain that the Intel 975x mobos allow you to OC?

 

[SpeedZealot369]

Do your friend a huge favor and wait for conroe to come out. I mean unless the money is burning his fingers, he would be much better off waiting.

-SZ


edited for spelling

 

[DaveyTN]

I generally don't recommend waiting for the next thing to come out, but since Conroe is right around the corner and given its price/performance ratio and over-clock ability , there is no way I would build a rig right now - tell your friend to wait ...

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: DARQ MX
This is what I got for the setup so far. He is pretty determined on getting an X2, I tried talking him into a opteron but he does not care to OC that much... so here is the list I made this mouring for him...


Processor(939s)
(4400+ Toledo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103546 ($460)

waste of money

Mobo (939s)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131004
ASUS A8R32-MVP Deluxe Socket 939 ATI CrossFire Radeon XPRESS 3200 ATX AMD Motherboard(172.99)

Ram: (DDR)
Corsair 2x1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145575($201)

newegg seems down right now, but that's probably a waste of money. a64s just aren't anywhere near as dependent on tight memory timings as previous chips. expensive corsair is really only useful for overclocking, and your bud isn't overclocking.

video card
x1900XTX:
SAPPHIRE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102671($470)

waste of money. get an XT and live with the 5% performance difference and the $100 in cash.

Radeon X1900 CrossFire edition:
sapphire
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102676($460)

probably a waste of money unless he's driving a big monitor.

Hard drive:
WD Raptor 74GB (purchased)

i hope this one is laying around or was purchased within the return period, the 74GB raptors aren't any faster than the latest 7200 rpm drives thanks to the vastly superior areal density of the 7200 rpm drives.

PSU:
Enermax 600Watt psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194001 ($129)

Soundcard:
X-FI: Xtreame ($111.99)



Etc...

Artic silver Thermal paste(5.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835100007

CPU HSF
Zalman
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118113($43.99)

DVD/CD/lightscibe drives:
LITE-ON:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106015($41.99)

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: DARQ MX
This is what I got for the setup so far. He is pretty determined on getting an X2, I tried talking him into a opteron but he does not care to OC that much... so here is the list I made this mouring for him...


Processor(939s)
(4400+ Toledo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103546 ($460)

waste of money

Mobo (939s)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131004
ASUS A8R32-MVP Deluxe Socket 939 ATI CrossFire Radeon XPRESS 3200 ATX AMD Motherboard(172.99)

Ram: (DDR)
Corsair 2x1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145575($201)

newegg seems down right now, but that's probably a waste of money. a64s just aren't anywhere near as dependent on tight memory timings as previous chips. expensive corsair is really only useful for overclocking, and your bud isn't overclocking.

video card
x1900XTX:
SAPPHIRE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102671($470)

waste of money. get an XT and live with the 5% performance difference and the $100 in cash.

Radeon X1900 CrossFire edition:
sapphire
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102676($460)

probably a waste of money unless he's driving a big monitor.

Hard drive:
WD Raptor 74GB (purchased)

i hope this one is laying around or was purchased within the return period, the 74GB raptors aren't any faster than the latest 7200 rpm drives thanks to the vastly superior areal density of the 7200 rpm drives.

PSU:
Enermax 600Watt psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194001 ($129)

Soundcard:
X-FI: Xtreame ($111.99)



Etc...

Artic silver Thermal paste(5.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835100007

CPU HSF
Zalman
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118113($43.99)

DVD/CD/lightscibe drives:
LITE-ON:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106015($41.99)

wow obviously you hate great computer parts. your system must be great =]
theres nothing wrong with the 4400. if you have the money to pay for the extra speed, why overclock?
corsair makes good ram, but i chose the OCZ ram for its tighter timings. theres nothing wrong with the sapphire xtx. get it. and if he has the 75gb raptor already then obviously he got it before the current 7200 hdd's so u can't compare. i'm sure the 74gb raptor would eat my seagate 160gb 7200.7 hdd in windows boot and virus scans. motherboard is great.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

wow obviously you hate great computer parts.

no, i'm trying to save the guy a good chunk of change while still giving very good fps

your system must be great =]

5500+ 3dmark06s sound good to you?

theres nothing wrong with the 4400. if you have the money to pay for the extra speed, why overclock?

except that it is going to drop in price like a rock in about 2 or 3 weeks. maybe then it'll be a good value. and about not overclocking, it's like going to a game and getting a 12 oz beer in a 20 oz cup, and getting charged the $10 for the 20 oz.

corsair makes good ram, but i chose the OCZ ram for its tighter timings.

again, tight timings are relatively pointless for A64 systems. very little performance difference, certainly not enough worth paying double for, unless you like to burn money.

theres nothing wrong with the sapphire xtx. get it.

except that, again, it costs $100 more for 5% more performance. that's 25% more cost for 5% more bang. i don't know many people who like to burn money.

and if he has the 75gb raptor already then obviously he got it before the current 7200 hdd's so u can't compare. i'm sure the 74gb raptor would eat my seagate 160gb 7200.7 hdd in windows boot and virus scans. motherboard is great.

like i said, if it's laying around might as well use it. but if it was just purchased and it's a GD model (and not the new AD model) it should be returned. the latest large 7200 rpm drives are just as fast and 6x the size of the GD.

 

[josh6079]

Originally posted by: Frackal
He's making a big mistake not getting a conroe CPU and board

QFT.

 

[DARQ MX]

HE just bought the 74GB raptor for $130. Now I know the 7200's haver better Arial density but you got to remember, that the raptors will just give him a little faster loading times and that is all he wants. I told him I could get him 2-120GB 7200GB HD's and throw them in RAID for him, but he was too stuck on seeing a raptor as his buddys house load a game 20secs faster then theirs.

Also, Does Intel have any Core 2 boards out right now that support Crossfire? I doubt it...

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: josh6079

Originally posted by: Frackal
He's making a big mistake not getting a conroe CPU and board

QFT.

4thed